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New Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) president David John-Williams vowed to roll up his sleeves and put in the hard work to get the football body humming again and to steer the “Soca Warriors” into a top 50 world ranking.
(Courtesy Allan V Crane/Wired868)
John-Williams, who was voted to the top football post yesterday and replaces outgoing president Raymond Tim Kee, said he will not be a “jacket and tie president.”
“I want to tell Trinidad and Tobago they are getting a president who will set an example and will do anything for football that is legal to improve the game,” John-Williams told Wired868 last night. “If I have to pick up paper, I will do that. You won’t find a jacket and tie president here, if you understand what I mean.
“I will work hard for the game to bring the pride back to Trinidad and Tobago at all levels.”
John-Williams’ assertion suggests a change in managerial style from his predecessor, Tim Kee, who also held the portfolios of Port of Spain mayor and PNM treasurer and was criticised for not prioritising the local game.
Tim Kee once said, during a radio interview on i95.5 FM, that he only travelled first class and was true to his word, while his players and technical staff flew in coach.
John-Williams said his first priority is to address matters related to the Women’s National Senior Team.
“Women Soca Warriors” coach Randy Waldrum remains in limbo about his post and has waited for a conclusive phone call from Tim Kee for the last month. And captain Maylee Attin-Johnson and star Kennya “Yaya” Cordner both refused to join the squad due to internal issues.
The W/Warriors are expected to depart for Hawaii tomorrow for an exhibition match with FIFA World Cup champions, the United States.
“I hope the last president and general secretary took care of (travel arrangements for the women’s squad) because it would just leave us a day to deal with that,” said the new TTFA president. “The women’s team is not going bad and I would like to see how I can get that on the road. I know there is an issue with Maylee Attin-Johnson and (Kennya) Cordner… They are two important players in the national setup, so it has to be addressed as quickly as possible.
(Copyright Kerron Riley)
“I think we can come out of that (2016 Olympic qualifying) group. It would be tremendous for the women to qualify for the Olympics, after just missing out on the (2015) World Cup.”
John-Williams, who announced that his daughter Renee John-Williams will immediately succeed him as CEO of Pro League club, DIRECTV W Connection, said he will speak to Men’s National Senior Team coach Stephen Hart soon to discuss plans for next January’s 2016 Copa America play off with Haiti in Panama.
He described the centennial 2016 Copa America tournament, which will include six CONCACAF teams alongside 10 CONMEBOL nations, as “tremendously important” to his stated goal of making the Warriors a top 50 football nation.
“A good performance (against the best South American nations) can see us propel in the FIFA world rankings,” said John-Williams. “We need to be 50 and above to really market the Trinidad and Tobago brand (and) get greater television revenues…
“It is very important I meet coach Hart and the technical department to see where we are in terms of players for that game, as it falls outside the FIFA (match) window.”
(Courtesy Chevaughn Christopher/Wired868)
At present, the Warriors are ranked 50th in the world while their average position in the past two decades is 64th. Trinidad and Tobago’s highest position since the introduction of the FIFA rankings came in 2000 when then coach Bertille St Clair led the team to 29th place after a top four finish at the CONCACAF Gold Cup tournament and two Caribbean Cup titles.
St Clair, a Tobagonian, was also the first coach to take Trinidad and Tobago to a FIFA tournament, after he steered the two island republic to the 1991 Under-20 World Cup with the likes of Dwight Yorke, Jerren Nixon, Angus Eve and Clayton Ince.
Apart from improved marketability, a consistent FIFA top 50 ranking will allow Soca Warriors a straightforward process for accessing work permits to play in Britain.
Incidentally, former Connection player and current team captain, Kenwyne Jones, was Trinidad and Tobago’s last successful export to Britain, after he joined Southampton in 2004. And ex-Connection midfielder, Silvio Spann, was the last Soca Warrior to get a UK work permit back in 2007.
The “Soca Warriors” won their opening 2018 World Cup qualifier 2-1 in Guatemala City on 13 November 2015.
(Courtesy Allan V Crane/Wired868)
Since then, Trinidad and Tobago’s slide down the FIFA rankings, which started with the TTFA’s infamous blacklist of its 2006 World Cup players, meant that the likes of goalkeeper Jan-Michael Williams, midfielder Khaleem Hyland, winger Lester Peltier and playmaker Ataulla Guerra all failed to get permits.
John-Williams said he hoped to meet Tim Kee soon to discuss the TTFA portfolio he has just inherited. He said he would not make change just for the sake of it and intended to keep the things that were working. And that includes Hart’s senior team.
There was a caveat though.
“We seem to have a very stable Trinidad and Tobago national team,” said John-Williams. “I think the pool (of players) can be expanded. Because when you go deeper into the qualifiers, injuries, cards and so on can play a deeper role.
“I will give Stephen Hart that support.”
(Courtesy Allan V Crane/Wired868)
Hart has pleaded, unsuccessfully, with the TTFA for the past two and a half years to fund a camp for local-based talent, which will allow him to spend time with Pro League players and introduce them to his methods.
However, John-Williams’ proximity to W Connection will remain an intriguing side-plot whenever national senior teams are selected in the foreseeable future, as he acknowledged in a previous interview with Wired868.
“I can’t change the love I have for W Connection and the passion I have for W Connection,” he said, “but I have to manage it.”
Incidentally, Connection advanced to the 2015 Toyota Classic Cup final shortly after the presidential election at the same Hasely Crawford Stadium venue. They won on penalties against Central FC, which is headed by former Sport Minister and advisor to the Sport Minister Brent Sancho and Kevin Harrison respectively, after a 2-2 draw.
(Courtesy Allan V Crane/Wired868)
At present, Sancho and Harrison are both before the TTFA’s disciplinary committee for a series of alleged ethical and financial violations related to their tenure with the Couva-based club.
John-Williams promised to meet with vice-presidents Ewing Davis, Joanne Salazar and Allan Warner today to set a date for their first board meeting and the creation of the finance and technical committees, which he described as paramount.
The new TTFA board of directors comprises of: Samuel Saunders (Central FA), Sherwyn Dyer (Eastern Counties Football Union), Karanjabari Williams (Northern FA), Richard Quan Chan (Southern FA), Anthony Moore (Tobago FA), Joseph Taylor (Trinidad and Tobago Football Referees Association), Dexter Skeene (TT Pro League) and Sharon O’Brien (Women’s League Football).
John-Williams missed the birthday of his father, Lewis John-Williams, who turned 96 yesterday in Granville, Cedros.
Instead, the younger John-Williams put Trinidad and Tobago’s football first.
“I am extremely happy (with the TTFA’s election results),” the new TTFA president told Wired868. “It was an emotional day for me personally… My dad is 96 years old (and) I missed his birthday.
“This one is for him. I feel honoured.”
(The new TTFA hierarchy)
President: David John-Williams.
Vice-presidents: Ewing Davis, Joanne Salazar, Allan Warner.
Board of directors: Samuel Saunders (Central FA), Sherwyn Dyer (Eastern Counties Football Union), Karanjabari Williams (Northern FA), Richard Quan Chan (Southern FA), Anthony Moore (Tobago FA), Joseph Taylor (Trinidad and Tobago Football Referees Association), Dexter Skeene (TT Pro League) and Sharon O’Brien (Women’s League Football).
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Lasana Liburd is the managing director and chief editor at Wired868.com and a journalist with over 20 years experience at several Trinidad and Tobago and international publications including Play the Game, World Soccer, UK Guardian and the Trinidad Express.
Oh. There was an already an agreement in place to deal with the debt. So the news would be if the Gov’t reneges on it
No I thought he was referring to the probable ban
How’s that James Saunders? You mean by spreading the resources?
women warriors? the senior mens team are the one’s who will be affected here
Interesting times ahead for the Women Warriors
*the powers you think I have*?
Yessssssssssss????!!!
Oh my Lasana Liburd I never heard about this drama before. FIFA observer saying TTFA owe some debt to a former under-17 coach around US$200,000 & if it not payed (deadline apparently already pass) – TT will be disqualified from 2022 WCQs Kirwin Weston Narada Wilson Roneil K Walcott Stephon Nicholas Allan V. Crane Dayne Brizan James Saunders Amiel Mutilal Earl Jean
yes. i was told that a deal was already in place to handle it
Word, cause i know there is no TTFA bombshell like that u wouldn’t miss ha
In fact the deadline was the 15th of November alot going
on behind the scenes that d public do not know!! More to
come!!
I contacted FIFA about it over a month ago and they didn’t want to say much about the possible consequences. So I’m surprised this young fellah spoke. Haven’t watched the video yet. But he would have to be nimble in his wordplay to avoid being reprimanded back in Switzerland.
Ok. Watched video. That was a treat for the media. But it almost unprecedented for that to happen.
FIFA officials are usually very mindful of the fact that they are the representatives of member associations and are very careful about their statements regarding FA business.
But I don’t mind as I’m a journalist.
Several parties assured me that the Govt had already given assurances about that. But of course a debt is always a problem until it is paid.
Promises count for little.
Well after d last President we really need less talk and more action yes!!!!
He is a man of little words but plenty action
I also remembered when he had WC looking professional in their Green Jackets. ..and pray in a huddle before and after games….I remember seeing u Clarkee and all…
I know the man. When he was “D Audio Man” in Couva on the Main Road I went with my cousin when he bought an A4. So I know he is serious business. But you know how those in command have all the right words to say….. I know he will.make a difference.
It’s not Sydney Marlon Callender he is as genuine and hard working as they come for the sport
I love how DJW sounding …..hope it’s not just pretty talk….
Looking forward to Lasana Liburd becoming the media officer for the TTFA.
Hah. Please don’t. I have no wish whatsoever for the job and I won’t apply for it or accept it if it is offered to me.
Yuh better accept eh
You want to close down Wired868 or what?! Haha. My job is as an independent.
Ah want an independent media officer
I can give you an independent journalist and website instead. 😉
Hahaha, ah know he trolling eh
Lasana Liburd going where eh, what ever rum alyuh drinking change the brand eh, because my father God raised him up to be a corruption exposer eh, so Mr. Live Wire not going anywhere. Them really good yes. Hahahaha
Media officer, my foot! You want to put “a jacket and tie man” to sweep the floor? Stay tuned!
He could have just said that he won’t be a posturing, pretentious, arrogant pr*^£ like his predecessor. Y’know, cut the chit chat.
Politicians tend to like the sound of their own voice…lol
Time will tell, we know they are willing to maintain the status quo
And I am 1000 percent certain that it will be first ever president that we will always still see at the professional league games in our sweet country. Them other presidents was really good yes
Switching topic briefly it was interesting see the TTFA election/agm in comparison with the cricket board AGM last month in relation to that outgoing votes issue.
Imagine if Tim Kee had 12 outgoing votes he would have – he would have won election after round 1 and I don’t think we would have had a pleasant AGM. So the cricket people despite what they think of Dinanath Ramnarine really can’t go into next years TTCB election with outgoing votes still around Mark Pouchet
I think his priorities are well aligned, just hope the execution turns out well.
Ha miss O’Brein being one of the 8 BOD will certainly make the W/Warriors negotiations a potential early headache issue
Yes. And that’s true. DJW can very easily lose the backing of one board member there.
That is if they go with players on this.
It would be bad politically to fire her. You would prefer that she resign.
Or, he might want to work hard on finding middle ground. That would be difficult considering what Maylee has said on the subject.
It could be a worrying situation too if players feel they can select their own technical staff. So we will learn much from how this is handled.
Fire her? Under what authority? The President doesn’t have the power to “fire’ a member of the Board.
I think I made it very clear that I was referring strictly to her role as a technical staff member and not as a board member. In short, nobody has even suggested that she leave the board of directors.
The President doesn’t have the authority to even fire her in her capacity as a member of the technical staff.
Well, that shouldn’t be done. But that isn’t to say it hasn’t happened before and cannot very easily happen again.
The president can do it very easily through the technical committee or general secretary. But he’d be better off convincing them that it is the right course of action rather than ordering them.
Because we would take a dim view of the latter.
As I said earlier, the best case is if he convinced her to resign. And he could certainly ask if she thinks that would be the best course of action.
Check the new Constitution again, powers of appointment for coaching staff lie with the Board. The Constitution appears silent, but by implication, powers of revocation also lie with the Board.
One would hope, in either case that DJW has learned from the mistakes of his predecessors.
Ye and in convo’s with Maylee, i know she standing firm to her position that she not playing once O’Brein is manager
Sharon isn’t helped by fact that she didn’t get off to a good start with Waldrum either. And there are current players who told me they have a problem with her too.
So that doesn’t give Sharon much wriggle room.
Well hope those who also have aproblem get the courage to talk out now…it could make all the difference. I could do the job too
Actually, they have to make the selection of technical staff members more transparent. I’m going to press on that.
In theory, we should know when they are going to select squad members and have a tender that allows people to apply to be coach, physio, manager and everything else!
So I support your right to throw your hat in the ring Sav. 🙂
Eh heh Savitri
Haha Lasana…once you put your mind to it eh
I noticed u left out media in that one Bird Lasana Liburd ha
He did say everything else eh..haha
Oh yea ha
Ahhh. You mean press officer Colin? Fair enough. That too! Lol.
There is no way one press officer can manage so many teams. So, sure. But that probably won’t be a pressing priority when you have coaches who are unpaid eh.
Ye Fuentes needs help in TTFA media and in the manifesto thats part of DJWs plans (not that i’m putting my hand up to get involved mind you ha)
Expanding the pool eh Colin
Job creation…lol
For W Connection staff! Lol.
(Teasing Colin)
Thanks, I didn’t want to say it…haha !
Haha its all good – I have no problem being teased on that one
Needing help and wanting help are totally different.
Is she the womens manager? The one giving trouble now?
We wait to see how far the pool will be expanded
Lol
Razor sharp as always Sav. 🙂
We will monitor to ensure the coaches continue to pick their teams without interference.
Lol! I playing linesman too. Thanks
I will look out for your flag!
Expanding the pool = more friendlies = more action…yayyy
Good stuff